I am building my first PC, Hardware Support

[Kazi]

I am a fairly new to the hardware of computers, so bear with me if I make any obvious mistakes. A few of my friends made their own computer. I was interested so I started looking for some parts. Here is what I have found. I am aware I am missing PSU, keyboard, monitor and mouse.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037)

Motherboard: ABIT Intel P35 ATX
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030)

RAM: 2 GB 240-pin DDR2 800
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211272)

HD: 500 GB SATA 3Gb/s
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148294)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB VRAM
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082)

Case: Cooler Master Stacker Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119103)

I am looking for critiques on the hardware I have chosen. I am looking for suggestions on the missing hardware.

[shyster]

Everything looks pretty good.

The only things I would comment on would be the RAM. I have not really heard much about that name, I think I have seen their flash drives before and they are supposed to be bad. The usual RAM used here are the corsair XMS2 and G-skill. That does not mean you cannot use the RAM you found, it could very well be fine, I would just check Abit's website and make sure that RAM is on its list.

The hard drive is on the smaller side, at least as far as I am concerned but it depends what you will be using it for. Also I hear the Barracuda's run somewhat loud so if you think that might bother you, you may want to look into a Western Digital drive.

Your case is crazy expensive. I think I have heard good things about it, and if you are willing to drop that much on just a case, go for it. It does look good, I just do not like doors.

The PSU of choice around here is definitely the Corsair 520HX. Here is the link to it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001

Monitors depend on how big you want them, what you will be using them for, and how much you can spend on them. The very top of the line are the high end dell series, I cannot think of their naming system right now, but pretty much everybody agrees that Dell owns monitors. The next highest with a reasonable price range is the Samsung series of monitors. The 226bw is pretty highly recommended and within the realm of normal pricing.

Keyboard and a mouse, logitech is the brand that comes to mind. I personally still use my cheap dell keyboard and an equally cheap dell optical mouse. You could probably pick up a decent set, of both mouse and keyboard, in the $20-40 range. Of course if you want high end stuff like cordless it raises the price.

[Kazi]

Thanks shyster,:D
Changes are:

RAM: 2GB DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145201

PSU: CORSAIR 520W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001

HD: 500GB SATA 3Gb/s (500 is big enough for my needs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Now I am in question to what my case, mouse, keyboard, headphones and display should be.
I still want critiques and suggestions.

[The Wise Monkey]

Are you going to be gaming? What is your total budget?

[RickyTick]

Kazi, that's an awesome setup, except for one thing, the Video Card.

Take a look at the 8800GTS 512, or the 9600GT. Both are lightyears ahead of the 8800GTS 320, and close to the same price. Please don't make that mistake, you'll regret it.

[Kazi]

I will be gaming and possibly rendering and I want to keep it around $1200

The video card is now the GeForce 9600GT

And a question: Is this a good deal?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3258952&body=MAIN#detailspecs

I really like this case Shyster:D

[The Wise Monkey]

1000W is serious overkill for a PC - you will never use anywhere near that much.

[RickyTick]

The Stacker series are really nice cases, but I agree, that's a bit overkill.

[shyster]

Plus that will really eat into your parts budget if you get a case like that.

If you could just find the case without anything attached to it, or at least from ANY other vendor then tigerdirect, you could still make your budget work. I just hear the worst things about that place. And if for whatever reason one part of that set is broken you would have to return the whole thing not just a single part.

By the way good catch Ricky I totally missed that it was the 320 version instead of the 512.

[Kazi]

alright, so are there any other vendors other than newegg for some comparison.
Random question: does a 500W PSU take 500W distribute it to the components then idk get rid of the rest... basically how do PSUs work?

oh yeah in case you guys are wondering I already have a CPU cooler.
thanks for catching that 320 not 512 thing RickyTick

So do you guys know any really good stacker looking cases.

[The Wise Monkey]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_power_supply

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-supply.htm


Wikipedia + Google = win. :)